The Fifth Meeting of the CICA Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China on 27-28 April 2016 with participation of twenty six member states, eleven observer states and international organisations and six guest organisations. The theme of the meeting was "promoting security through dialogue".

H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China inaugurated the meeting and delivered inaugural address. President Xi stressed on jointly creating a better future of peace and prosperity for Asia through dialogue and consensus. He mentioned that for achieving this end, it is necessary to focus on four areas: (i) keep to the direction of building an Asian community of common future; (ii) cement the foundation for exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations; (iii) uphold mutual understanding and mutual accommodation and peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation; and (iv) gradually explore the building of a security architecture that fits regional conditions.

The Fifth Ministerial Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, representing the Chinese CICA Chairmanship. In his opening address, Mr. Yi dwelt upon progress made by CICA in twenty four years since its inception; important contributions made by China since assuming Chairmanship of CICA in May 2014; and activities envisaged during the next two years of Chinese Chairmanship. He mentioned that China has played and will continue to play an active and constructive role in advancing the CICA process, deepening security dialogue and cooperation in Asia and upholding regional peace, security and stability.

The Ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues and explored possibilities to further enhance cooperation, peace and security in Asia. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of promoting CICA as a multilateral forum for close cooperation, continuous dialogue and interaction, comprehensive exchange of views, addressing new challenges and threats, facilitating prevention of conflicts, peaceful settlement of disputes as well as developing and implementing agreed Confidence Building Measures in the Asian continent. The Ministers also adopted a declaration covering wide range of issues global community, including recent political developments, and CICA’s role in addressing these issues.